Arabian Business, 16 January 2026: Dubai is set to see its first commercial electric air taxi flights by the end of this year, according to the Chairman of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Joby Aviation, the California‑based manufacturer of the fully‑electric vertical take‑off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, completed the first test flight of its air taxi in Dubai in June 2025 — a milestone in the emirate’s plan to integrate aerial mobility into its transport network. The aircraft can travel up to 160 km at speeds reaching 320 km/h while producing zero operating emissions, qualities designed to make it suitable for urban environments.

In early 2024, Joby Aviation signed an agreement granting it exclusive rights for six years to operate air taxi services in Dubai. The RTA’s strategy envisages expanding the city’s mobility options with environmentally friendly, fast, and low‑noise aerial transport, complementing existing roads and public‑transport systems.

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